Funding Sources:

Venture Creations can help you find funding for your startup and assist you through this process. Funding is available from a number of local, regional, and federal agencies and organizations, from angel capital to later stage growth financing. To get started, refer to the links below.

Excell Partners is a local, economic development organization that manages a state-supported fund, which provides pre-seed and seed stage financing to high-tech startup companies in the Upstate New York region. They follow a standard three month process that begins in the first month of each quarter with a solicitation and review of proposals, due diligence in the second and negotiations/award in the third. Investments are typically in the range of $100K to $250K and are often done in conjunction with other co-investors.

RIT Pre-Seed Fund

The RIT Pre-Seed Fund is dedicated to companies that relate to innovations, intellectual property, and entrepreneurial aspirations taking place in and around RIT. The Fund's primary focus is on assisting companies in the pre-seed stage (i.e., their first six months) that are creating business opportunities based on RIT's core technical competencies. The typical investment is in the range of $25,000 to $100,000 in return for a defined amount of equity, but this amount must be matched by funds from other sources such as personal funds, angels, or venture capitalists. Decisions are made by a Fund Board, managed by the RIT Board of Trustees, based on both a detailed application as well as a formal presentation, and are usually finalized within 60 days of submission. For more information, please contact Dr. James Watters, Senior Vice President, RIT Finance and Administration at 585-475-2378 or jhwbqt@rit.edu.

The Rochester Angel Network (RAN) is a private group of accredited investors based in Rochester with an interest in investing in seed and early startup companies that are, and will be, based in the Rochester area. Investments are typically made in the $250K to $2M range. Applicants are required to submit an application online at that includes summary input from a completed business plan. Applications are reviewed monthly by a screening committee and can take anywhere from three to five months from submission to final negotiation of terms.

GRE is a regional economic development organization supported by a team of private and public sector leaders dedicated to improving economic performance in the Rochester/Finger Lakes, New York Region. Their site provides a listing of available funding opportunities based in and outside the Rochester area.

The Monroe Fund is a private venture fund managed by Trillium Capital Partners. It generally invests between $250K and $750K in start-up, early-stage, and turnaround businesses in and around Monroe County. Trillium seeks businesses that represent the best of the region's innovative efforts. To initiate consideration of potential investments, submission of a written business plan or executive summary is required.

Trillium looks for companies operating in high growth markets, such as: digital imaging, medical technology, software, Internet and network systems, photonics and wireless communications. As a provider of early-stage capital, the Trillium group requires a meaningful ownership position, Board of Directors representation and terms typical for the risk associated with post-seed, first round investments. The Trillium Group does not routinely seek a controlling interest.

The University Technology Seed Fund, LLC (UTSF) is a $6 million seed-stage venture fund also managed by Trillium Venture Development. The Fund seeks to facilitate commercialization of new inventions and discoveries, which offer high potential for commercial success. It is expected that qualified businesses and projects will locate in and around Monroe County. The fund focuses on the fields of health (medical device and biotech), optics, electronics, IT, and communications, and seeks opportunities that have distinct competitive advantages. In return for equity ownership in the new enterprise, UTSF provides seed funding and commercialization services necessary to secure first-round financing.

Venture Creations can help you find funding for your startup and assist you through this process. Funding is available from a number of local, regional, and federal agencies and organizations, from angel capital to later stage growth financing. To get started, refer to the links below.

Empire State Development's Division for Small Business is established in New York State Economic Development Law to represent the interests of small businesses and to support the development and expansion of small businesses with under 100 employees. The Division directs a wide array of programs and initiatives to support small businesses.

For the purpose of supporting energy-efficient environmental solutions and economic development across the State, NYSERDA developed this document to provide a resource for finding additional financial, technical, and marketing assistance for businesses.

The Environmental Facilities Corporation administers the most successful State Revolving Fund Programs in the nation. Since 1970, EFC has provided almost $15.5 billion in low-cost financing and grants for over 2,100 water and sewer infrastructure projects spanning New York.

Venture Creations can help you find funding for your startup and assist you through this process. Funding is available from a number of local, regional, and federal agencies and organizations, from angel capital to later stage growth financing. To get started, refer to the links below.

Federal Funding Agencies

Federal Funding Agencies offer grants to small and minority businesses. These opportunities are listed on the individual agency's website:

SBIR/STTR are two competitive programs that help the SBA to ensure the nation's small, high-tech, innovative businesses are a significant part of the federal government's research and development efforts.